Punching register



March 10, 1942. J. O. SHERMAN EI'AL PUNCHING REGISTER Filed Jan. 13, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 fig Trol'QNEY- March 10, 1942.

J. Q. SHERMAN ETAL PUNGHING REGISTER Filed Jan. 13, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 TTORNEY HHII J SHERMAN ETAL 'PUNCHING REGISTER Filed Jam 13,. 1939 I! ////f////// lll I March 10, 1942.

March 10, 1942.,

J. Q. SHERMAN EI'AL PUNCHING REGISTER Fi1ed Jan. 13, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 PUNCHING REGISTER 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 13, 1939 III! Tl Patented Mar. 10, 1942 PUNCHING REGISTER.

John Q. Sherman and Ardath A. Gopperton, Dayton, Ohio; said Gopperton assignor to said Sherman; Katherine M. Sherman, WilliamC. Sherman, and Wellmore B. Turner, executors of said John Q. Sherman, deceased Application January 13, 1939, Serial No. 250,802

19 Claims. (Cl. 164-112)- ,This invention pertains to record making,.writing or imprinting apparatus, and more particularly to means for identifying inscribed record sheets, sales slips or data forms by means of punch marks relatively positioned therein in accordancewith a predetermined code.

It is quite common practice to sort cards or other records by electrical or pneumatic apparatus operative through differently positioned punch holes therein, whereby each series of cards or sheets having correspondingly positioned punch holes are collectively assembled. Ordinarily such cards or records are punched in special machines apart from the recording device.

In the present instance the punches for producing holes in the record sheets at only one of several different positions are made a component part of the record making or inscribing apparatus together with such associated interlock means that some one or another of the punches must necessarily be operated before the record can be made or the-inscribed record sheet or form ejected from the apparatus.

While for illustrative purpose, but with no intent to unduly limit or restrict the scope or appiication of the invention, it is herein shown and described as embodied in a motor actuated autographic register, it is to be understood that it may be applied to typewriters, billing and tabulating machines, and analogous record making apparatus.

It is customary practice to produce successive inscribed or imprinted records at longitudinally spaced intervals on continuous strips of record material which are subsequently divided intermediate succeeding legends into successive sheets or forms. In order that the. inscribed or imor colored spots, shall always be located in predetermined definite relation with the respective forms or record sheets.- This is necessary in order printed legends shall appear in predetermined areas or in prescribed relation upon the sheets or forms, it is necessary that the record strips be positively advanced and arrested in registering and aligned relation in the record receiving position. This is especially true when the records are manifolded and duplicate records produced simultaneously by a single writing or imprinting operation. To do so the record strips are provided with marginal traction areas having therein longitudinally spaced holes, notches or other configurations for cooperative engagement of a pin type or other positive strip feeding device.

In thepresent instance, the positive feeding of the record strip or strips and their arrest in registry and alignment with a prescribed positionis especially desirable in order that the present identification markings, whether punched holes that the differently identified record sheets or forms may be properly synchronized with a secondary sorting or selecting machine theselective function of which is dependent upon the relative position of the identification marking to the sheet or. form. i

Thus in the present instance thepositive pin type feeding means is duofunctional. It not only serves to properly register and align the record material in the initial or recording machine", but it contributes greatly to the successful operation of the secondary assorting or automatic sheet selecting apparatus through which the identified record sheets are passed subsequent to their discharge-from the recording apparatus.

The object of the invention is to provide a record identifying. means in interdependent relation with a recording or writing apparatusyof simple construction, which may not only be economically manufactured, but will be efiicient in use, positive in operation, uniform in action, having relatively few operating parts, and unlikely to get out of repair.

A further object of the invention is to provide for identifying records by punch marks in deflnite predetermined positions therein at the time the record is produced, thereby minimizing possibility of wrong identification or non-identification thereof.

A further and important object of the invention is to provide an interlock mechanism between the punching means and the recording or inscribing apparatus whereby the latter is temporarily rendered operative only by prior operation of an identifying punching device.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for automatically restoring the record making apparatus to locked condition after each operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide interdependent record making and identifying apparatus possessing the advantageous structural features and inherent meritorious characteristics herein mentioned.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view as will'more fully appear in the specification, the invention-intended to be protected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, or their equivalents, as hereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

enlarged scale.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view from the left of Figs.j3 and 4.

Fig. 6 is a detail top plan view, partly broken j away.

Fig. '7 is a transverse sectional view similar to Fig. 4 illustrating an electrical interconnection between the punching and record making apparatus.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a packet of con- 'tinuous form series connected record material for use in the autographic register illustrated.

Fig. 9 illustrates two record strips having'irnprinted identification spots in lieu of perforations.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

In many commercial establishments it is desirable to identify recorded transactions according to their character, department, or class of merchandise, or to'identify the particular clerk who'makes the transaction. For .example, the

transactions and sales slips recording same may be classified as wholesale or as retail, and identified by relative positions of corresponding punch holes in the different sales slips. In other instances it may be desired to identify recorded transactions as cash, credit, received on account and paid out. Likewise, it may be required to identify different commodity 'sales' as groceries, cigars and confectionery. Under some systems it is highly important that the particular clerk be identified on the salesslip in such manner that the record can notbe changed.

through which the strips may be inscribed. In

the event that plural strips are employed for manifolding, the recorded data transfer material 5 is interposed therebetween. The record strips 2 are shown as marginally punched at 6 for progressive feeding engagement therewith of rotary pin wheels I driven through predetermined degrees of feeding operation by an electric motor 8. The operation of the motor is initiated by a areas of the sheets. or strips may be accurately In either instance the identification is effected by positioning punch holes in some on or another. of several predetermined positions in the sales slip or record sheet, which position may or may not be indicated by a corresponding printed indicia. After a number of such record slips or sheets have been inscribed and identified by properly positioned punch holes therein, such records may be run through a sorting apparatus which will automatically classify the records by separating those having similarly positioned punch holes into packets or groups, according to the relative locations of their punch holes. If identification punching of the record slips or sheets is delayed and performed by a separate operation after their removal from the inscribing machine, mistakes are likely to occur' and the punch marks be located in the wrong position, and some sheets may be missed entirely and the punch marks omitted therefrom. The

present combined inscribing and punching apparatus with protective interlock mechanism prevents such mistakes. Referring to the drawings, l is the casing or cabinet of a motorized autographic register wherein one or more strips 2 of record material are intermittently advanced from a supply packet in the bottom of the cabinet thence over a writing tablet 3 beneath an opening 4 in the cabinet top positioned in. punching position. It is therefore to be understood that the particular autographic register mechanism disclosed in the drawings is for illustrative purpose only'and that the invention is generally applicable to various other forms 'lever 9, and which includes an elongated extension 10' overlying the record strip or sheet in record receiving position relative to the opening 4 in the cabinet top.

While any greater number of punches to identify record sheets or slips pertaining to different classes or character of transactions-or different clerks may be used, to simplify the disclosure and explanation only two punches and associated mechanism are illustrated. It will be understood that others involve mere duplication; These punches II and ll'are mounted in the housing ill for vertical reciprocation against the yielding resistance of helical retractile springs l2. and when manually depressed cooperate with die openings [3 in the writing tablet 3 to produce holes M in corresponding positions in sheets or strips then in writing position upon the writing tablet.

The construction shown is such that operation ofone or another of thefpunches is compelled, before the motor trip lever 9 may be actuated to cause the motor 8 to drive the pin wheels to eject the record strip.

'Each punch plunger stem has thereon a cam collar having two axially spaced tapered cam surfaces l5 and I6, engageable respectively with reciprocatory slides I! and I8 within the housing. The slides l1 and I8 extend into proximity with the motor trip lever 9. The-slide I1 is provided with a'retracting spring 20 by which the slide is returned immediately upon retraction of the actuating plunger. The other slide I8 is engaged by a frictional detent spring |8a by which it is yieldingly retained in its operated position. The slide l8 has therein contiguous to the motor trip lever 9 a pair of parallel spaced marginal notches 2| separated .by a medial septum 22 which normally registers with the trip lever andprevents operative movement thereof. The other slide, I1, is normally positioned out of the path of the motor trip lever as is shown in Fig.6.

Upon initial depression of either of the punch .plungers II and II the cam surface I5 thereof engages with the slide l1 and moves the slide against the tension of its spring 29 into the path of the motor trip lever 9. and by continued movement the cam surface I6 of the plunger engages the slide i8 and moves the slide to align one or the other of the notches 2| with the trip lever for movement thereinto. However, the lever 9 can not be moved until the slide I1 is permitted to return under influence of its retractile spring 29 upon elevation of the operated punch plunger. The slide I8, however, is left in its operated position, thus enabling actuation of the lever 9 into a slot 2| to start the motor and advance the record strip or sheet which has been inscribed and has been punched in accordance with its character to identify its class. The sole purpose of the slide I1 is to prevent operation of the trip lever 9 and starting of the motor prior to the disengagement of the punch from the sheet or record strip.

The'slide I8 is operated in one direction or the other by the respective punches,'one of which engages with the slide It at the point 23 at one side of the operated plunger, and the other of which engages the same slide at the point 24 on the opposite side of the other plunger when depressed. Thus one punch plunger moves the slide 18 in one direction to align one slot 2| with the lever 9, while the other plunger moves the slide in the opposite direction to align the other slot 2| with the trip lever. It is obvious that any number of punch plungers II may be employed in cooperation with the same two slides I1 and I8. Furthermore, it is not necessary that the slide I8 shall have two notches 2| nor be moved in alternate directions by the respective slides. The slide Ill and plungers may be arranged to move the;

is thus returned from either of its extreme positions due to shifting movement of the slide I8 into a medial position with relation to such bifurcated cam slide 25. By such return movement the marginal notches 2! of the slide it are shifted out of registry with the trip lever 9 and the medial septum 22 registered therewith. thus preventing operation thereof until the slide is again actuated by depression of a punch plunger. The return cam slide 25 is actuated by a rotary cam 28 carried upon the pin wheel shaft or strip feeding actuating shaft, whatever mode of strip feeding may be employed. During the feeding operation the cam 28 engages a roller 29 on the lower end of the retractive cam slide 25, elevating the slide into camming engagement with the lug 21 and, passing on, permits the cam slide 25 to return under influence of the retractile spring 30, leaving the slide IB in lever locking position preparatory to the next operation.

, In Fig. 7 there is shown a system of electrical control wherein. in lieu of preventing operati n of the motor trip switch as before described, the motor circuit is normally open and is closed preparatory to operation of the trip lever by depression of a punch plunger. In such electrical control embodiment there is employed only one slide l8 corresponding to the slide I8. The punch plungers II and "(each carry a conductor collar 3| which, so long as the plungers are in their normal retracted position, serves to close the main motor operating circuit. Thus the several punch plungers, of whatever number, are normally interconnected in series in the main electrical circuit 32. The depression of any one of the punch plungers temporarily opens the circuit. Carried upon the slide IE, but electrically insulated therefrom, is a bridging contact 33. Having continuous engagement therewith is a contact 34 directly connected through the line 34' with the actuating motor. On each side of the contact 34, but normally out of electrical engagement with the contact 33, are two spaced contacts 35 electrically connected with each other and with one side of the energizing circuit, the opposite side of which may extend direct to the motor. Upon depression of either one of the punch plungers the slide I 8' is shifted in one direction or the other to adjust the bridging contact 33 to interconnect one of the contacts 35 with the permanently engaging conductor contact 34 and conductor 34'. Whichever direction the slide may move, one or the other of the contacts 35 will be engaged and electrically close the circuit with the conductor 34. This will not, however, complete the circuit nor start the motor, since one side of the circuit remains open until the depressed punch plunger is fully retracted. The retraction of the plunger completes the circuit setting in operation the motor, or it may only connect in operative relation a switch 36 to be manually operated by the lever 9 to start the motor.

While for illustrative purpose the record identification means has been herein shown and described as a punching device for producing in the strip differently disposed perforations whereby the strip is adapted to automatic selection in a conventional electrical or pneumatic assorting apparatus, it is to be understood that broadly such identification may be imprinted spots in predetermined relative locations or differently colored spots in the same relative location for cooperation with a photoelectric cell selecting and asserting apparatus of which a number of different forms are commercially available. In

such event, the depressible plungers may be im- St printing devices adapted to apply a spot of ink in one of several code positions. Detached inscribed portions of the record strip, each bearing an identification spot or marking when subsequently passed relative to the electric eye" or photoelectric cell of a sorting apparatus will be automatically separated into diiferent groups according to the relative position of the identification spot or to the color thereof. It is to be understood that like the punch mark identification, the relative position of the imprinted identifioation spot or the color thereof agrees with the character or classification of the subject matter of the inscribed data upon the record strip. The present invention therefore broadly includes other forms of identification of inscribed portions of record material than the specific characterizations herein mentioned, and is not to be deemed limited thereto except as expressed in the accompanying claims.

The rotary pin wheels I serve duofunctionally to present succeeding portions of the continuous strip in record receiving position, and simultane- I ously present a certain prescribed area of each record receiving portion of theostrip accurately the detached portion of the strip. A positive feeding device, whether of the pin type illustrated or other form, operatively engageable in longitudinally spaced configurations such as notches, embossings or projecting tongues in the strip, is quite efi'ective for this purpose.

Fromthe abovedescription it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form-proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principleinvolved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute, the

invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise the preferred form of several modes of putting the invention into effect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, we claim: 1. In a. record making apparatus wherein succeeding portions of record material are progressively presented in record receiving position, the combination witha feeding device therefor of a record identifying device for imparting to each record portion an identification characterization corresponding to'the character of the record inscribed thereon, means under control of the rec rd identifying device for normally preventing operation of the record material feeding device,

the effect of which is counteracted by operation of the record identifying device, and a second means also under control of the record identifying device for temporarily preventing operation of therecord material feeding device so long as the record identifying device is in its operated position and restored to record material feeding condition by return of the record identifying device to normal, and means for restoring the first mentioned operation preventing means to condition to prevent continued operation of said feeding device.

2. In a record making apparatus wherein succeeding portions of record material are progressively presented in record receiving position, the combination with a feeding device therefor of a record identifying device for imparting to each record portion an identification characterization corresponding to the character of the record inscribed thereon, a pair of locking devices one of which is normally in operative position to prevent initiation of operation of the record material feeding device, and moved therefrom by actuation of the record identifying device, the

smears material feeding device for operation, and means for restoring one of said devices into position to prevent subsequent operation of the recordmaterial feeding device by the operation thereof.

3. In a record making apparatus wherein succeeding portions of record material are progressively presented in record receiving position, the combination with a feeding device therefor of a record identifying device for imparting to each record identifying device to normal to enable record material feeding operation, and means for restoring one of said plates to operation preventing relation by the operation of said record material feeding device.

4. In a record making apparatus wherein succeeding portions of record material are progressively presented in record receivingposition, the

combination with a feeding device therefor of a record identifying device for imparting to each record portion an identification characterization corresponding to the character of the record inscribed thereon, control means for the record material feeding device including an electrical energizing circuit, a normally open make and break contact therein, means actuated by operation of the record identifying means for closing the make and break contact, and a second make and break contact in said circuit opened bythe operation of the record identifying device and closed by restoration thereof to normal, and means for automatically opening the first mentioned make and break contact at the completion of the record material feeding operation.

5..In a. recording apparatus, strip feeding means for intermittently advancing succeeding v prescribed lengths of record material into a recother of which is normally in inoperative position and moved by actuation of the record idendevice to normal to thereby unlock the record ord'receiving position,'an actuating motor therefor including a movable motor start element, a plurality of punch operating elements, a detent element common to the motor start element and all punch operating elements and actuated by any of the latter to lock the remaining punch operating elements and simultaneously unlock the motor start element, and means actuated by operation of the strip feeding device for restoring the detent in looking relation with the motor start element and into release relation with all the punch operating elements.

6. In a recording apparatus wherein a continuous strip of record material is progressively advanced past a record receiving position, the combination of strip feeding means, an actuating motor therefor including a movable motor start element, a plurality of punch operating elements, a pair of detents controlling the motor start element, one of which is normally in looking relation therewith, and retracted therefrom by the operation of any one of the punch operating elements, and the other of which is moved into locking relation with the motor start element by operation of any one of the punch operating elements and automatically retracted therefrom upon the return of the operated punch operating element to normal position, and means for restoring the first mentioned detent into locking relation with the motor start element by actuation of the strip feeding device.

7. A recording apparatus including a writing and identifying position past which is advanced a continuous strip of series connected detachable printed forms to receive thereon at longitudinally spaced intervals written indicia and indicia identification, strip feeding means for intermittently advancing said strip past the writing position, identification means for marking the strip "while in the writing position in accordance with the written indicia thereon, and operation determining means preventing initiation of the strip feeding operation by which the strip is ad vanced from the writing position until completion of the operating period of the identification means.

8. In a recording apparatus, strip feeding means for progressively advancing a continuous strip of record material past a record receiving position, actuating means therefor, strip punching means operable for perforating the strip at any one of several different positions, and a detent actuated in position to prevent actuation of the strip feeding means by the. operation of the punching means, and automatically releasing the strip feeding means upon retraction of the punching means.

9. The combination with a recording machine of strip feeding means for presenting successive tuating motor therefor including a movable motor-start element,punching means operable to produce holes at any one of several different points in the portions, and a pair of detents controlling the motor element, one of which is normally in locking relation therewith and retracted therefrom by the operation of the punching means, and the other of which is moved into locking relation with the motor start element by operation of the punching means and automatically retracted therefrom upon return of the punching means to normal position, and means for restoring the first mentioned detent into locking relation with the motor start element by actuation of the strip feeding means.

In a record making machine, a strip feeding device for presenting successive portions of a continuous strip of record material progressively past record receiving position, actuating means therefor, a plurality of punch operating elements for perforating the strip within pre scribed areas thereof, and a detent element com-- mon to all the punch operating elements and the strip feeding actuating means, said detent being actuated by operation of any one of the punch operating elements into position to prevent actuation of the strip feeding means, and

automatically releasing the strip feeding means upon retraction of the punch operating elements.

means for perforating the strip in any one of prior to its restoration to normal, and means for preventing operation of one ofsaid manually operable means until the other thereof has been first operated.

12. In a recording apparatus wherein a succession of portions of record receiving material are progressively presented in record receiving position, feeding means therefor, record identification means for imparting to succeeding record receiving portions while in record receiving positionddentification characterizations disposed in relative positions in accordance w h a predetermined'code whereby the position of the characterization is in accordance with the character of the inscribed record, control means for the record material feeding device including an electrical energizing circuit, a normally open make and break contact therein, means actuated by operation of the record identifying means for closing the make and break contact, a second make and break contact in said circuit opened by the operation of the record identifying device and closed by restoration thereof to normal, and a third make and break contact connected in operative relation in said circuit by actuation of the record identifying device and manually operable to complete the circuit, and means for automatically opening the first and last mentioned make and break contacts at the completion of therecord material feeding operation.

13. In a recording apparatus wherein asuccession of portions of record receiving material are progressively presented in record receiving position, the combination with strip feeding means of an actuating motor therefor including a movable motor start element, punching means operable in different prescribed areas of the record strip, a detent element common to the motor start element and the punching means and actuated by the operation of the punching means to release the motor start element, and means actuated by operation of the strip feeding device for restoring the detent element in locking relation with the motor start element and in release relation with the punching means.

14. In an apparatus of the character described, wherein a continuous strip of record materia is progressively advanced past a record receiving position at which it receives recorded legends at longitudinally spaced intervals, a strip feeding device therefor, means for imparting to each legend bearing portion of the strip while still in record receiving position an identification indicia corresponding to the character of the recorded legend, control means for the strip feeding device including. an electrical energizing circuit, a plurality of series connected make and break contacts-therein, said make and break contacts being connected in operative relation tervals, a pin type feeding device having engagement with marginal configurations on the strip for progressively advancing the printed forms over the writing table into indicia receiving position, manually operated identification means for marking each of the series of printed forms while in the writing position in accordance with the indicia written thereon, and an interlock between the feeding device and' identification means preventing operation of the feeding device until the identification means is operated and returned to normal position.

16. In an autographic register wherein a continuous strip of series connected detachable printed forms having longitudinally spaced feed holes is intermittently advanced past a writing position, the combination with such strip of positive pin type feeding means engageable in the spaced feed holes for advancing the series of printed forms measured distances into the writing position, identifying means for marking each of the series of printed forms while in the writing position in accordance with the record written thereon, means for preventing the operation of either one of the feeding or identifying means while the other is in operated condition and prior to'its restoration to normal, and means for preventing operation of one of said means until the other has been operated.

17. In an autographic register wherein a continuous strip of series connected detachable printed forms having therein longitudinally spaced :feed holes is intermittently advanced past a writing position, positive pin type feeding means having progressive engagement in the spaced feed holes for advancing the series of printed forms measured distances into the writing position, identifying means for marking each of the series of printed forms while in the writing position in accordance with the record written thereon, an electrical energizing circuit for actuation of the feeding means, a plurality of make and break -contacts in said circuit, the construction and arrangement being such that the operation of the identifying means completes the electrical circuit for operation of the feeding means. v

18. In a record making apparatus wherein a continuous strip of series connected detachable printed forms is progressively advanced past a record receiving position at which position each printed form-receives a record and record identifying indicia in definite prescribed relation with an imprinted legend thereon, the combination with such strip of a positive pin type feeding device having progressive engagement with 1ongitudinally spaced configurations in the strip for advancing the strip prescribed distances and arresting the advancement of the strip with a prescribed portion of each succeeding form in registry with the record identifying means for receiving record identifying indicia thereon, interlock means for preventing the advancement of the strip from the record receiving position until properly identified and means for releasing the interlock upon the return of the identifying means to normal position.

19. In an autographic registerwherein a continuous strip of series connected detachable printed forms is progressively advanced past a writing position at which each succeeding form receives a written record and a record identifying indicia corresponding to the written record thereon, the indicia being in a definite prescribed position on the printed form, a positive pin type feeding device having progressive engagement with longitudinally spaced marginal configuration on the strip for positively advancing the strip prescribed distances at each operation and arresting the advancement of the strip with the prescribed indicia receiving portion of each .succeeding form in registry with the record identifying means for receiving record identifying indicia thereon, and means for compelling sequential operation' of the feeding and record identifying means, the construction and arrangement being such that the advancement of the strip is prevented until the identification of the strip is completed and the identifying means returned to normal.

JOHN Q. SHERMAN. ARDATH A. GOPPERTON. 

